Purpose of ANA Code of Ethics
This is a set of principles that reflect the primary goals, values, and obligations of the profession.
What is Nursing Codes of Ethics? (p. 125) or
What is a formal set of ethical principles guiding nursing practice?
This value reflects concern for the welfare and well-being of others.
What is altruism? (Table 6-1, p. 119)
This defines advocacy as protecting and supporting this fundamental aspect of patient care.
What are a patient’s rights? (p. 137)
This principle means respecting a patient’s right to make their own healthcare decisions.
What is autonomy?
A nurse explains treatment options so a patient can choose what is best for them. This demonstrates this principle.
What is autonomy?
These are two of the four organizations provide widely recognized nursing codes of ethics that guide professional conduct globally and nationally.
What are the International Council of Nurses (ICN), American Nurses Association (ANA), Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), and National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA)? (p. 125)
This value supports a patient’s right to make their own healthcare decisions.
What is autonomy? (Table 6-1, p. 119)
This advocacy skill involves ensuring that loyalty to employers or colleagues does not override this primary commitment.
What is prioritizing the patient? (p. 136)
This principle requires nurses to avoid causing harm to patients.
What is nonmaleficence?
A nurse double-checks medications to prevent errors. This reflects this principle.
What is nonmaleficence?
According to the ANA, this describes the Code’s role as a required ethical foundation for all nurses entering the profession.
What is a nonnegotiable ethical standard (or statement of ethical obligations and duties)? (p. 125)
This value involves acting consistently with ethical principles and professional standards.
What is integrity? (Table 6-1, p. 119)
This skill requires balancing two competing ethical principles when making advocacy decisions.
What is balancing patient autonomy and well-being? (p. 137)
This principle focuses on doing good and promoting the patient’s well-being.
What is beneficence?
A nurse advocates for pain control to improve comfort at end of life. This demonstrates this principle.
What is beneficence?
This expectation reflects that nurses must not only follow ethical norms but fully integrate them into their professional identity.
What is embracing ethical values as part of being a nurse? (p. 125)
This value emphasizes fairness in the distribution of healthcare resources.
What is social justice? (Table 6-1, p. 119)
This advocacy action involves helping patients make informed decisions without making the decision for them.
What is facilitating patient decision-making (or supporting self-determination)? (p. 137)
This principle means treating patients fairly and distributing care equally.
What is justice?
A nurse ensures all patients receive equal access to care regardless of background. This reflects this principle.
What is justice?
Violating a nursing code of ethics may result in these professional consequences, even if no law is broken.
What are reprimand, censure, suspension, or expulsion from the profession? (p. 126)
This value requires recognizing the inherent worth of every individual.
What is human dignity? (Table 6-1, p. 119)
This advocacy role involves representing patient interests and mediating conflicts between patients and family or the healthcare team.
What is acting as an intermediary (or patient representative)? (p. 137)
This principle involves keeping promises and being faithful to patient care responsibilities.
What is fidelity?
A nurse continues caring for a patient until proper handoff is completed. This demonstrates this principle.
What is fidelity?